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Award-winning speaker, author and leadership expert Tish Norman spoke to about 100 students and faculty members Thursday as part of the Alumni All-Stars Convocation series. Norman lectured enthusiastically on the theme of being “Above the N.O.R.M.” and developing a personal leadership brand. She challenged students to be less like common and interdependent chickens and more like rare and focused eagles.

“Everybody can’t handle the commitment to move onward and upward,” Norman said. “There is more of a challenge to be an eagle. They have the attitude of greatness.”

Norman read an excerpt from the book, “From Mediocre to Magnificent: How to Make the Rest of Your Life the Best of Your Life” of which she is a contributing author. In the excerpt she recalled her experiences as an undergraduate student at KSU. During her time at KSU, Norman was selected as Miss Freshman, was member of the Concert Choir and became First Attendant to Miss Kentucky State University.

Norman is the Executive Director of Transforming Leaders Now, Inc., a leadership development company, specializing in collegiate programming in leadership, women, career skills and the African American experience. Having spoken in 44 states and 11 countries she maintains an active speaking schedule keynoting at dozens of campuses and collegiate conferences every year.

—Bria J. Perry, KSU staff writer